Howard E. ‘Bud’ Mantsch

He was born Sept. 11, 1921, in Peoria, the son of John and Elsie (Schrecker) Mantsch. He was a 1940 graduate of Dixon High School and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, serving in World War II from 1942 to 1946.

He married Cecilia “Ceil” Laskos on Jan. 12, 1946, in Oregon; she died on Dec. 19, 2003.

Bud was employed as an electrician through IBEW Rockford Local 364 for many years before retirement. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Oregon, Knights of Columbus Council 1092 and Oregon VFW Post 8739. Bud was a patriotic American, always a Marine, and a loving family man to whom no one was a stranger.

He is survived by his son, John (Melody) Mantsch of Glen Ellyn; his daughters, Cyndi Mantsch of Oceanside, Calif., Melody (Dr. Rick) Serola of Roscoe, and Susan Whitmore of Oregon; grandchildren, Kip and Marty Anderson, Kyle and Maizey Mantsch, and David and Arin Whitmore; great-grandaughter, Siena Anderson; and sister, Phyllis Heckman of Dixon.

He also was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Robin; brothers, Glenn and Jon, and sister, Kathleen Reynolds.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home in Oregon, with a 7 p.m. vigil wake service. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary Catholic Church in Oregon, with the Rev. Joseph Naill as celebrant. Burial will be at a later date in St. Mary Cemetery in Oregon.